Question:
Does anybody out there who has had this surgery have any regrets about it??
I am 1 week post op and getting a little nervous about it. — Bonnie D. (posted on September 15, 2002)
September 15, 2002
You will find that 95% (ball park figure) of the REGRETS are with people
who are under 2 months post op. Just about everyone regrets it that long.
— Danmark
September 15, 2002
Hi Bonnie, It takes a little time to adjust to the major changes you have
taken on to improve your health. I regreted my surgery only for about a
month. I had gotten an ulcer due to some medication I was given by my
family Dr. My new pouch wasn't ready for that type of medication yet. I am
1 year post -op and just had my tummy tuck. I would do it all again. My
arthritis doesn't bother me as much. I can take longer walks. I feel so
much better about myself. Just hang in there. Allot of changes are going on
in your body. As you lose weight and start to feel better you will be glad
you had it. I now can eat about anything I wan't, except sugar. I just
don't eat the portions I used to eat. I always try to remember protein
first, veg. next and then fruit if I have any room, and water, water,
water. (((HUGS)))
— Kathy H.
September 15, 2002
I have to say that I will be 3 1/2 months Tuesday and I still have regrets
about it almost everyday. I can't eat anything I want anymore. I workout
anywhere from 2 to 3 hours a day. I have lost 74 lbs in 15 weeks; which is
WONDERFUL, but I can't eat REAL FOOD anymore. No hamburgers, no steaks, no
meltd cheese. All I drink is water when I do get liquid in me. This
surgery is NOT for everyone. On the other hand; I can do just about
anything I want. I have gotten into jeans that I couldn't fit into for
over 7 yrs. Just did that last week. But my eating habits are TERRIBLE. We
are told all of our live not to snack; and that is about all I can do now.
The is no sitting down and eating a real meal. I could go on about the
pros and cons, but the good out weights the bad: but I still regret doing
it, because I just want to be able to set down and be a normal person
eating. I still would NOT recommend this surgery for anyone. It is a vey
tough way o lose weight. GOOD LUCK with your weight lose!!! =o)
— Patricia L.
September 15, 2002
I was scared too just before surgery... I went through the first two months
mourning the foods I couldn't have. I am now 7 months post op and find
that I can eat whatever I want in moderation... but I no longer want or
crave sweets or anything greasy or fatty. Honestly, I don't even feel as
if I went through a surgery or that my stomache is any different than it
used to be, its just smaller... but then again, so is the rest of me!
— Melissa W.
September 15, 2002
For the first couple few weeks after surgery, I was asking myself
"what have I done?"...I think it's a stage that the great
majority of post-ops go through. I gotta tell ya..I would do it again in a
heartbeat. Hang in there, it will get better!
— Jennifer G.
September 15, 2002
Honestly, I went into the bathroom everyday by myself and cried for at
least 2 weeks straight. I couldn't believe that I had insisted and begged
for the surgery. I hated it! I was starving to death, and no one cared!
But, soon the hunger(head hunger) went away and I started feeling a little
better each day. I am now almost 8 weeks postop and am feeling pretty happy
about my decision. I still have bad days, but overall, I would most likely
do it again. It is not an easy way out though. Dont ever let anyone tell
you it is. This is one diet that you will most likely never go off of. It
is for life. I can't sit and stuff myself silly with cheese puffs and cake
and make myself feel better anymore. I have to deal with all my problems
now in a different way. I go grocery shopping, and I still look with
longing at the freshly baked bread,muffins,and pizzas. I think I want them,
but I really don't. It is a mind game. I am really happy that my jeans no
longer stay up on me though and that I can finally pull out all those
clothes I had stashed at the bottom of my closet and finally wear them
again! It is a tradeoff I think. You give up your obession and love of food
for a healthier thinner lifestyle. What is more important to you? I still
do enjoy food...but no where near what I did before. Maybe that will
change...I am still a pretty new postop. But, overall...I can finally say I
would do it again. (open RNY 7/23/02 -55lbs)
— Shawnie S.
September 15, 2002
Hang in there Bonnie. You will be fine. Most of the people that have long
term regrets are ones that have difficulty dealing with the loss of food as
a support system. Where that is hard, it was harder for me to think that my
son would grow up with our his mother if I did not do something, and do it
quick. Also, people that can not get past the head hunger have difficutly
also. Post op- food needs to become a way to stay alive, not something to
ive for. IF that transition is not made, lots of regrets are out there.
— Vicki L.
September 15, 2002
Jen my wife hhad WLS and was a unhappy camper for a couple months. Her
surgery was in december, now she is down nearly 100 pounds, and off most
prescription drugs, back to work, MO disability from asthma which is now
GONE. She missed her buddy food, but NOW she is thrilled she had surgery.
We were talking last night of having a baby, something she couldnt do pre
op. Because of weight and PCOS.... My only regret is not having surgery
sooner. Thats the most common reply to this question.
— bob-haller
September 15, 2002
There is only ONE regret I can think of after having this surgery 17 weeks
ago. I regret I didnt get information about it sooner, I regret I spent my
20's MO I regret I missed out on so much of my 15 yr old daughters life due
to the fact I was too fat and embarassed to enjoy life. I rejoice in the
fact that I wont be MO for all of my 30's and I have 2 young sons that I
can participate in LIFE with. Is this easy? Oh HELL no! There are days (b4
my period) that I want nothing more than to STUFF my face and barely chew a
mountain of pasta. Would I trade my 77 pound loss for that same pasta? No
way Jose! :0) I am lucky I didnt have those "what did I do to
myself" days even when I was going through my complications. 28/30
jeans to a 20 makes it so worth it to me. I dont think this surgery is for
everyone. I think research and deep soul searching is necessary. I felt
dead b4 I went in for surgery so for me there was only ONE way to go and
that was forward. I am so glad this site is here and I am so glad people
are honest about what they went through, it inables us to make choices with
our eyes wide open. Best of Luck to you!!!~ttfn
— Sassy M.
September 15, 2002
Bonnie, I am a month post-op, Open RNY, I am down 26lbs (as of 9/3 - don't
have a scale)...Right now, I am 50/50 on the surgery. I will be honest.
But, I expect once I go back to work, that will change as I am very BORED!
I have had 2 complications, be it minor. I have INCREDIBLE insomnia and I
have been leaking since week 2. However, I have a ton more energy and am
feeling the difference of loss lbs. I have my support group this thursday
and a follow-up dtr appointment friday. They will both help to shift the
%'s and make this a more postive percentage. Ask me in a month, and I am
sure this is the same for many people. I know once 2 mos come, I will
probably feel very excited about my decision. Good Luck.
— heathercross
September 15, 2002
Bonnie, I am 9 weeks post-op today and I have only one regret, I did not
learn about the RNY procedure sooner. I have lost 56.6 lbs. and I had no
idea I would be this successful already. I have had a few times where I
was really craving something and instead of sitting and thinking about
nothing else I would have tiny bit of it and then I was fine. It is true
you can't eat the way you did pre-op but isn't that what we all want
anyway. If we could have lost weight without the surgery we would have.
It is not for a lack of trying very hard on anyone's part either. It will
get better I am sure once you are through a few stages and eating things
that feel more substantial. Good luck.
— UMMADUMMASS
September 16, 2002
Are you regretting the surgery or regretting the fofods you can no longer
eat? At 1 week out, you're still having some pain, still on talking in 1-2
oz of food at a time, scared to drink to fast, move to fast, etc. Give
yourself a little more time. As soon as you get on the scales and see some
results(I call it payback for all I went through) you'll feel better. Some
folks will always regret this, but most get very happy within a few weeks.
I know I never regretted it, but went through some days when I wondered if
I could survive what I had done to myself. I just wanted something,
anything, to eat so bad and was still on a restricted diet. Once I reached
8 weeks and could try any type of food as long as it was sugar free and low
in fat, I started feeling in control andwas making sound healthy choices
that included lots of protein, low carbs, and some fruit to curb a sweet
tooth. When I got to this point, low and behold, I realized how happy I
was. Not just with the numbers in my weight loss journal, but happy with
the fact that I'm making myself heathy. I love life now and really can
live it. This whole process takes time and patience. This is a journey
and you have the tool/s to make it wonderful. Just hang in there a few
more days...each one will get easier, I promise.
— Teri D.
September 16, 2002
IAM JUST 7 WEEKS POST OP AND I KNOW HOW YOU ARE FEELING. I HAD MY SURGERY
ON A TUESDAY AND WENT HOME ON SATURDAY. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL THAT
MONDAY WHEN I REALIZED HOW HARD THIS WOULD BE. I COULDN'T GET ALL OF MY
WATER IN AND FOOD WAS A JOKE! I COULD NOT STAND THE TASTE OF BROTH AT ALL!
I HAD EATEN SO MUCH THAT I SWORE I SMELLED LIKE A CHICKEN!!! I WAS SOO
DEPRESSED THAT I CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK AND BALLED MY EYES OUT AND THEN
CALLED MY DR. OFFICE AND DID THE SAME! I WAS HYSTERICAL. THE NEXT THING I
DID WAS TO CALL A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE THAT I ACTUALLY MET THROUGH THIS
WEBSITE. SHE IS GREAT!! SHE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT DAY BY DAY AND THAT EVERYONE
FEELS THE WAY I DID. SHE TOLD ME TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS. THAT'S WHEN I
DECIDED THAT IF I DIDN'T GET A LITTLE MORE FOOD INTO ME I WAS GOING TO END
UP RIGHT BACK IN THE HOSPITAL. FROM THEN ON I HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH ALL
KINDS OF THINGS. ANYTHING SOFT WAS GREAT. SCRAMBLED EGG WHITES, COTTAGE
CHEESE, YOGURT, FROZEN FAT FREE YOGURT, APPLE SAUCE, ALL KINDS OF SOUPS
(INCLUDING TOMATO- SPLIT PEA SOUP IS GOOD OR BEAN WITH BACON(EAT AROUND THE
BEANS) AND THINGS LIKE THESE). EVERY DAY HAS GOTTEN BETTER AND IAM READY TO
START WALKING TONIGHT. THE MOST INPORTANT THING IS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
AND KEEP YOUR STRENGTH UP, EVERYTHING ELSE WILL COME IN TIME! I HAVE LOST
43 POUNDS AS OF YESTERDAY AND FEEL WONDERFUL!!! I MISS SOME OF THE FOODS I
USED TO EAT BUT TO BE HONEST I CAN'T STAND THE SIGHT OR SMELL OF MOST OF
THEM. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND TAKE IT DAY BY DAY!!!!!(I AM EATING ALOT OF
NORMAL FOODS NOW IN MODERATION)
— nikki R.
September 16, 2002
The biggest regret I have about this surgery is that I did
not do it sooner. I have been obese all of my life and
this surgery has been a miracle for me. I really got tired
of everyone calling me BIG WILLIE for all of my adult life and
when I was a kid, they all called me TINY!!! Very funny, NOT!!!!
I remember the first couple of weeks after my surgery. I
did have some thoughts about WHY? Why did I do this, Why
do I feel so bad, Why was I so tired. The tired part lasted
about 4 months for me. After that it was smooth sailing.
Just hang in there, it does get better. Good luck to you!!
— OLD RODEO C.
September 16, 2002
I am 7 months out and have absolutely NO regrets. I've lost 73 pounds and
my energy level is the highest it's been for as long as I can remember.
And I still need to lose another 120 pounds. I am exercising and feel
wonderful. Also, I can eat anything. I ate steak for dinner on Saturday.
I can eat small portions of anything else I want too. Just call me a happy
camper. If there are downsides to this, I'm not seeing them.
— Linda V.
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